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Free Malaysia Today
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Tok Mat ‘realistic' on need for Umno to stay in govt, says analyst
Mohamad Hasan said the party would end up being 'spectators' if it were to quit the unity government. PETALING JAYA : Political analysts have expressed support for Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan's assertion that the party must stay in government to champion the Bumiputera agenda effectively. Hisommudin Bakar, executive director of think tank Ilham Centre, said Mohamad—widely known as Tok Mat—was being 'realistic' in his view on the matter. Hisommudin Bakar. He said Mohamad was well aware that the party would only be in a position to shape pro-Bumiputera policies and exert its influence on the community's narratives within the national framework if it stayed in government. 'The Bumiputera agenda can only be effectively implemented if it is championed from within the government,' Hisommudin told FMT. He said that parties outside the government lack the necessary tools and institutional support to deliver tangible benefits to the community, leaving them heavily reliant on rhetoric and populist slogans to win support. On Sunday, Mohamad said it would be better for Umno to remain in government where the party could 'drive new agendas suited to today's realities'. Otherwise, Umno would end up being merely spectators, he added. The Umno deputy president's comments came two weeks after former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced the formation of a loose Malay unity alliance to 'save' the community from what he described as political and economic decline. Universiti Malaya's Awang Azman Pawi said any attempt by Umno to advance a particular agenda independently of the government would result in mere pressure and proposals that 'go nowhere'. He said this was evident when Umno joined the opposition following its defeat in the 14th general election in 2018. 'The Bumiputera agenda was no longer prioritised at certain levels of policymaking, and there were even proposals to reduce race-based policies in the name of meritocracy.' Awang Azman Pawi. However, Awang Azman said Umno's relevance—and its appeal to younger voters—now depends on its ability to embrace and actively champion issue-based politics. 'Voters today do not judge parties solely by their past struggles, but by their policy implementation and its impact on daily life, especially in areas such as the cost of living, education, employment, technology, housing and administrative integrity,' he said. Awang Azman noted that Umno has already begun shifting its Bumiputera narrative from race-based entitlements to inclusive, development-driven policies that benefit all communities. Both analysts agreed that staying in the unity government provided Umno a 'strategic leverage' to protect the party's agenda and redefine its relevance. 'If Umno can translate the Bumiputera agenda into one that is more issue-based, inclusive, and grounded in integrity, then remaining in government is not just about survival. It will be about transformation,' said Awang Azman. Disheartened but not surprised, says Zaid Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim, however, offered a contrasting perspective, saying he was 'disheartened, but not surprised' with the Umno deputy president's justification for staying in government. Zaid Ibrahim. In a recent post on X on Tuesday, Zaid said Umno lost the support of the Malays because the party had abandoned its principles. 'It failed to take decisive action against corruption and abuse of power when the public demanded it most. 'What has Umno done since joining (the) Madani (government) to restore trust or advance meaningful reform? Nothing,' he said. Zaid claimed that, despite Umno's presence, the government has yet to draw up economic policies that 'genuinely uplift Malays'. 'Where are the bold structural changes to education, entrepreneurship, and GLC governance that could make a difference? We see none,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Technocrats seen as mere ‘accessories' in PAS, says analyst
Ilham Centre's Hisommudin Bakar said PAS's 'DNA' will not change even if a technocrat were to helm the party, as the central leadership is still subject to the Syura Council. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : An analyst expects professionals in PAS to face a tough road to be elected to the party's top leadership, as its structure stresses the importance of clerical leadership as the foundation of its struggle. Ilham Centre executive director Hisommudin Bakar said PAS delegates have also consistently supported candidates who have higher Islamic education and are close to the party's ulama leadership. Hisommudin said the professionals and technocrats in PAS are perceived more as 'accessories' that complement the party, especially in terms of management, strategies and administration. 'They may be able to fill the posts of deputy president, vice-president or members of the central leadership, but not as the party's No 1,' he told FMT. Hisommudin said this does not mean that professionals have no place in PAS's top leadership, but that the trust in them to lead the party still comes with conditions. He said PAS's 'DNA' will not change if a technocrat were to helm the party, as the central leadership is still subject to the Syura Council, its highest decision-making body composed of religious scholars. 'The structure and policies of the party are still controlled by the dominant ulama institution. What might change is the party's approach or management style, but not its fundamental struggles,' he said. On Saturday, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said professionals could lead the party as long as their decisions are guided by Islamic principles, or 'syarak'. Commenting on calls to retain ulama leadership should PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang step down at the party elections in September, Tuan Ibrahim said ulama leadership has long been a tradition in the party. Hisommudin said the clash between the ulama and technocrat factions in PAS is not a new occurrence, but has become more apparent now that certain professional leaders are growing in prominence. He said pushing technocrats to the fore is not the key to PAS winning non-Malay support, but the current political narrative. 'PAS's history shows that it has been able to obtain the support of the non-Malays despite being led by the ulama faction, for example, when it worked with PKR and DAP under the Pakatan Rakyat coalition during the 2008 and 2013 general elections,' he said. However, Akademi Nusantara's Azmi Hassan said professionals must be given more room and opportunities in the PAS leadership to reflect progressive and modern Islam. He believed that the policies and decisions made by such leaders would then attract non-Muslim voters to support the party.
Free Malaysia Today
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Malays want political stability, not just racial sentiment, says analyst
Hisomuddin Bakar said the new alliance is a reaction to the perceived lack of Malay-majority support for the current government. PETALING JAYA : Unity based solely on Malay sentiment is no longer the single determining factor in garnering Malay political support, says political analyst Hisomuddin Bakar. He said Malays also look at governance, including effective management of the economy, administrative integrity and policies that have a direct impact on people's daily lives. Hisomuddin Bakar. 'It's more about everyday realities than nationalist rhetoric. Political stability has become a priority,' said Hisomuddin, who is executive director of Ilham Centre. 'Voters are feeling the fatigue created by internal party conflicts, party-hopping and frequent changes in government,' he told FMT. Hisomuddin said voters wanted a stable administration, consistent policy direction, the ability to maintain investor confidence and a promise of long-term prosperity. He said political parties today are evaluated not only based on their historical struggles or ethnicity, but also on how convincingly they can realistically offer a progressive and inclusive future. His comments come after the recent launch of a new Malay unity alliance by former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, created as a loose coalition to gather fractured Malay political forces under one 'big umbrella'. Hisomuddin said the alliance is a reaction to the landscape after the 15th general election, with the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional government seen as lacking the majority of Malay support. 'In GE15, Perikatan Nasional emerged as the most dominant bloc among Malay voters, despite multi-cornered fights with Malay parties like Pejuang,' he noted. Hisomuddin said the alliance could hypothetically improve the Malay vote count beyond PN's performance in GE15 – nearly 70% of Malay votes – but only if it successfully unites all the splinter groups. More to prove than just unity However, Hisomuddin said recent by-elections point to a different reality, with BN winning comfortably in Nenggiri, Mahkota and Ayer Kuning due to votes from PH supporters, including non-Malays. 'Even though Umno has not fully recovered its influence among Malay voters, its strategic cooperation with PH is keeping it alive, winning seats through combined vote mobilisation,' he said. Hisomuddin said the Malay alliance has more to prove than just its ability to unite, and faces a much bigger challenge than simply gathering fragmented Malay entities. Syaza Shukri. 'It must demonstrate that it is able to disrupt the current voter support patterns created by the PH-BN alliance,' he said. Syaza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) said the alliance lacks clear goals and has yet to truly explain its purpose. 'I don't know if they will be effective, because I don't know how or what to measure. What are they planning to do? What do they want to change?' she said to FMT. Azmi Hassan. Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara also said the alliance is unlikely to pick up steam because unlike during the earlier Pakatan Harapan government, no driving issues are currently pushing Malay-based parties together. 'At that time, the Rome Statute was the main factor. But not right now. There is no issue. Umno is quite comfortable in the government,' he told FMT.
Focus Malaysia
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
PAS prepares for leadership change as Hadi signals exit
PAS leader Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang's hint at retiring as president has sparked big questions about his successor. Ilham Centre CEO Hisommudin Bakar is of the view that a potential exit of Hadi from the Islamic party will be a major turning point in PAS's modern history, according to Sinar Harian. Meanwhile, it appears that the ulama faction is pushing for a smooth, stable power transition. Remarks from PAS' Mokhtar Senik and Datuk Mohd Amar Abdullah suggest PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man as the next president, avoiding upheaval. This will also avoid non-ulama candidates like Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar gaining an upper hand in the party. The Ilham Centre sees this as a move to ease grassroots acceptance, possibly positioning Hadi as PAS Mursyidul Am, following the late Tan Sri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat. The choice of successor in PAS will also depend on delegates but indications are that the ulama camp favours Tuan Ibrahim as party leader and Mohd Amar could rise to deputy president. In April, Mohd Amar said that there is no internal conflict or tension among the party's leadership, despite ongoing speculation, including about his nomination at this year's PAS Muktamar (general assembly). He said the matter of candidacy is the party's prerogative, and he is not concerned if he is not nominated in the upcoming party election. Analysts however said the hints from Hadi are a warning for the party grassroots to prepare for change, as they are learning from PKR's divisive elections. Hadi has reportedly signalled his intention to step down from his position due to health concerns. The Marang MP is said to have conveyed this to the party's top leadership during a retreat in Terengganu last weekend. Sources said the disclosure has triggered internal discussions within the party's ulama (religious scholars) faction, which is now actively encouraging Tuan Ibrahim to assume the leadership role. — June 7, 2025
Free Malaysia Today
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
‘UMDAP Mantap' branding may have backfired among Ayer Kuning voters, says think tank
Ilham Centre said the alliance between Umno and DAP – once bitter rivals – remains a sensitive issue among Malay voters in Ayer Kuning. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : An attempt by DAP deputy chairman Nga Kor Ming to normalise a label used to highlight his party's alliance with Umno may have backfired, a think tank said. Ilham Centre said based on its survey, the 'UMDAP Mantap' label that had been bandied about had a more negative impact. 'It would have been more strategic if it was handled by the Barisan Nasional machinery,' the centre said in a report today. Ilham Centre also said the alliance between Umno and DAP – once bitter rivals – remained a sensitive issue among Malay voters. It said it found it interesting that BN took the unusual step of not responding to the opposition's attempts to vilify the Umno-DAP alliance, 'while Amanah was tasked to respond to attacks by Perikatan Nasional'. Separately, the think tank said PN had racialised local issues, such as the pollution caused by pig farms, to woo Malay voters. 'While such narratives are risky, it seemed to have been effective with the context of the local demography,' it said. Malays make up 55.97% of the 31,940 voters in Ayer Kuning. The by-election tomorrow will see a three cornered fight among BN's Yusri Bakir of Umno, PN's Abd Muhaimin Malek of PAS, and Parti Socialis Malaysia's KS Bawani. It follows the death on Feb 22 of Umno assemblyman Ishsam Shahruddin, who had won the seat in the last general election with a 2,213-vote majority in a five-cornered contest.
